Lunch on a Sunday is always a last minute thought, a day l need to use my creative powers and use what’s lurking in fridge, fruit bowl and vegetable basket. I don’t like waste, l never throw anything away, in effect, Hugh and l are garbage disposal units – fact.

I love the smell of freshly baked bread in the house, so when you don’t have a lot of time, make this quick and cheat easy soda bread. It’s rich, doesn’t need proving and within 40 minutes you have a crusty loaf to accompany any soup, salad or cheese board. Best to be eaten on the day, or toasted the following morning or simply cut in half and placed in the freezer.

Ingredients

400g plain white flour, 100g wholemeal flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 400ml buttermilk, 1 tsp salt.

Method.

Preheat the oven to 200C, line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Place all the dry ingredients into a a large bowl and mix well. Pour in the buttermilk and stir to form a sticky dough. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and bring together with your hands to form a ball.Put the dough onto the baking tray. Mark a deep cross on the top of the dough, dust with a little flour.Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap on the base. Let cool, eat, enjoy!

Note- If you do not have butter milk, use normal milk with 2 tbsp lemon juice, let sit for 15 minutes before using.